Administration
The Fire Administration is responsible for all of the departments operations and oversees, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Administrative Division within the Fire Department including , budgeting, purchasing, accounting, payroll, assigning work activities and projects, working with other departments within the city and neighboring departments, administration of the fire data processing systems (NFIRS), and oversees and maintains the department’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Chief (Public Safety Director) Charlie Bird
- Fire Chief Sonny Emery
- Executive Assistant Jessica McCard
- Fire Marshal Hunter Hart
- Operations Chief Mike Waters
- Battalion Chief (A-Shift) Brian Beasley
- Battalion Chief (B-Shift) Kyle Miller
- Battalion Chief (C-Shift) Charlie Robles
- Logistics Officer (Vacant)
- Safety and Training Captain (Vacant)
- Emergency Medical Coordinator (EMC) Mike Stroud
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) along with the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is the department and city’s response for emergencies and disasters on a larger scale. The Plan Activation along with the EOC occurs by way of the City Manager directive. The City Manager may activate all or portions of the plan along with the EOC depending on the scale of mobilization to facilitate response readiness in accordance with certain pre-established activation levels.
“The City of Winter Haven’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan is to ensure that our municipal governing body has officially established a means by which to coordinate response efforts to a maximum extent possible to mitigate, respond to and recover from emergences and disasters.”
Regardless of the type of crisis, emergency or disaster that may be encountered, the City’s objective will be to:
- Minimize suffering, loss of life, personal injury, and damage to property resulting from hazardous or emergency conditions.
- Minimize material shortages, and service system disruptions that would have an adverse impact on the residents, the economy, and they City’s well being.
- Manage emergency operations within the City by coordinating the use of resources available from the county, other municipal governments, private industry, civic and volunteer organizations, and state and federal agencies.
- Provide disaster relief and coordinate short-term and long-range recovery operations in disaster areas.
- Unite the efforts of city governments, state and federal agencies and volunteer organizations to mitigate, plan for, respond to and recover from disasters of any kind.
Operations
Fire Suppression
- The Winter Haven Fire Department responds to all fire emergencies within the city as well provides automatic aid and mutual aid when needed. This can be due to large or multiple emergencies that can exceed a neighboring departments capacity and can receives those services in return when applicable.
- The Department has 60 uniformed personnel assigned to fire suppression operations. All fire engines are staffed with 4 personnel with a minimum of 3 at all times. All shift personnel work a 24 hour shift and have 48 hours off.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- All fire stations in the city have Advance Life Support (ALS) fire engines that are staffed with two paramedics, one minimum at all times. All uniformed personnel are medically trained as EMTs or Paramedics.
- The Winter Haven Fire Department provides the best medical attention possible to the citizens they serve providing advance and basic life support.
Station Locations
- Station 1 – 301 Avenue G SW is where the Fire Safety Complex is located. Administration, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Inspections/Investigations Division are headquartered.
- Station 2 – 4700 Lucerne Park Road, Advance Life Support Fire Engine 2.
- Station 3 – 6975 Eloise Loop Road, Advance Life Support Fire Engine 3.
- Station 4 – 1803 Havendale Boulevard, Advance Life Support Fire Engine 4.